Longtime Laguna Beach resident and community volunteer Steven Erger passed away peacefully at his home Sept. 6 surrounded by family and friends after a battle with leukemia.

Born in Los Angeles to Melvin and Elizabeth Erger, Steven moved to Laguna Beach after graduating from Los Angeles High School and went on to earn a degree in fine arts from UC Irvine and a JD from Western State University College of Law.

Erger was a devoted collector of antique rugs and art objects, and all genres of music, from jazz to classical to world and folk. He was a passionate believer in justice, civil rights, and conservation. After earning his law degree, he found his calling instead running his own gardening business. He was a longtime volunteer for the Laguna Canyon Conservancy and Friends of the Library. He had a lifelong love of and attraction to the beauty and serenity of nature, which was his great sanctuary.

Erger leaves behind his mother, peace activist Elizabeth Erger; sister Kathy Gorup and brother in law Denny Gorup, as well as a loving circle of friends. Before his passing, he had the good fortune to be able to return to his beloved garden and home by the sea for his birthday, where he was surrounded by those who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Laguna Canyon Conservancy.